It came about as I got sick of the quality (or lack thereof) of the paper in Moleskine watercolour notebooks. I was going away and wanted to do some sketching – I bought a large Moleskine and a couple of smaller ones (as well as some Daler-Rowney hard-cover sketchbooks.)

The Moleskine paper absorbs the pigment too quickly – I like to move the water and colours around, make patterns and experiment with the way the pigment is deposited – tide marks and “cauliflowers.” Its something unique to watercolour and not only is it fun, it can also create some wonderful effects.

But the paper Moleskine has decided to put into their watercolour notebooks just doesn’t stand up to, or facilitate this kind of experimentation. Its a shame, as I really enjoy the format and portability of these notebooks. They are well-designed.

They are OK for gouache or acrylic, but just don’t have what it takes for pure watercolour painting.

So I decided to start pasting Arches and other cotton rag based watercolour paper into my Moleskines. I also bought cheap ($1.50) hard-cover notebooks from Lincraft and pasted high quality paper into them. Then I rummaged in my storeroom for some watercolours on good paper that I just didn’t like – bits and bobs of things that didn’t work or that I couldn’t finish. I started cutting and collaging, just sitting in front of the TV with some PVA and a pair of scissors. Ended up with a mess on the floor, but some workable ideas and the impetus to keep going.

Here are some of the things I have been doing.

Some of the notebooks & sketchbooks I have bought and made in the last few months.

sketches using my Moleskine – watercolour and bodycolour with some collaged paper

watercolour sketch in handmade sketchbook

watercolour sketch in handmade sketchbook

This is some experimentation on the Arches paper that I pasted into my $1.50 Lincraft Notebook.

This is some experimentation on the Arches paper that I pasted into my $1.50 Lincraft Notebook.

This is some experimentation on the Arches paper that I pasted into my $1.50 Lincraft Notebook.

This is some experimentation on the Arches paper that I pasted into my $1.50 Lincraft Notebook.

Arches into the Moleskine – watercolour and bodycolour sketch

Unsatisfactory Moleskine surface – dont like the effect AT ALL!

Collaged paper into my Moleskine drawing notebook

Collaged paper into my Moleskine drawing notebook.

What is happening to my Moleskine drawing notebook – its not designed for such brutal treatment!

My own hand made book – made the covers using sample fabric from the op-shop – very happy with this one!

My own hand made book – made the covers using sample fabric from the op-shop – very happy with this one! Somewhat intimidated in using it for sketches now!